Local authorities in Aweil South County in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State have banned the sale and consumption of an alcoholic spirit called Star Gin and warned that violators will face legal action.
The cheap but potent Star Gin is bottled in a small container with a red top.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj earlier today, the Aweil South County commissioner, Luka Thel Thel, confirmed that he issued the order banning the sale of the gin across the county last week.
“The order is true, I issued resolution NO. 26/2021 to prohibit the alcohol at the county level because the gin affects the citizens and causes them to fight in all areas under the county and that is why I have decreed the order to ban it because Star Gin is not benefiting the citizens,” Commissioner Thel said.
He qualified that all local brews are allowed.
Community leaders across the county have backed the order and said many crimes are related to the consumption of Star Gin.
Ayom Wek Aklol, the Ajak community paramount chief, seconded the commissioner’s resolution and said all paramount chiefs are not happy with problems caused by the consumption of the gin.
“We were the ones who discussed the issue with the commissioner about many crimes caused by this alcohol. For example, my uncle’s son, Akol Wek Malom-Tong, stabbed someone with a knife while they were drunk. So we are requesting our local alcohol (brews) to remain but all strong drinks must be cancelled to reduce the problems,” Chief Wek said.
For his part, the Buonchuai community paramount chief, Piol Geng Ariath, said they have been waiting for such an order for a long time. He added that a big number of the youth were involved in alcohol compared to the elderly people.
“Of course, we have been deliberating for a long time on how to suspend the product. The commissioner himself brainstormed with us and we found that Star Gin destroys the county because young men, girls, and women use it every time leading to disputes,” Chief Geng said.